That's a good looking bird lugnut. Both of mine ended up being wet feathered messes by the time they stopped flopping in the muck. First time I ever bought the second pa tag. Figured with the early opener this year there would be better hunting longer into the season. Fortunately i was able to get them in different places too. Neither were very old. Both had spurs about the same 15/16". Both came directly off roost in very different scenarios.

Mine flopped out in a small seep. I thought he was going to get himself all wet and muddy also. He dropped like a ton of bricks at the shot and lay there stone-still for 45 seconds to a minute. But I knew it was coming so, for the first time, I filmed it.

Congrats on filling both your tags Claypool!

Thanks. Took 7 mornings, which is better than my longterm average. Bit if a nerd when it comes to keeping track of such things. As of this year, takes me 4.9 mornings per bird. Both came before work. That really helps if you can swing it. Makes for long days though. One thing ive learned is that it's a numbers game. The more you get out and observe and adjust your setups, eventually you'll hit it on a day when they cooperate. All that includes the days you dont hear a dang thing.

Well if your a bit of a nerd I don’t want to know what I am. I also track the days and even the hours along with tons of other useless data nobody cares about! I’m a data freak! I can tell you how many hours it took to get a bird each season going back thirty years! LOL

Your numbers game comments are exactly right.

I will add that those days also include the times I make stupid mistakes and have to relearn lessons I should have known by heart by now. Nothing like getting owned by a bird with a brain the size of a pee to keep you humble.

^^^^^^^

Every day out is like a new lesson. When I think I got it all figured out, I get schooled.

Well commonwealth staters, it certainly was a good weather Saturday morning. Surely one of you tagged out.

was as dead as i have saw it so far this morning.did see 2 hens while mowing - both near my tame ones.

It certainly did turn into a spectacular day after a somewhat chilly start. 36° here at 5 o’clock this morning but after the sun came up it turned out just beautiful. We had five different gobblers going this morning at different locations and two hens but no birds were killed.

We had a great hunt! Played with a longbeard from the roost until 8:00 when the hunter shot. We had spooked this bird twice. Once it flew 400-500 yds away across a valley and road. Crazy love lorn 2yr old. Nice bird, made new friends. The day was unforgettable. I am blessed. Good luck to all.

Each season it seems that something is reinforced in my beliefs as to turkey talk. I raise Easterns, lots of them, and study them daily for years now. I am believing more each year that the Yelp mostly means " I am here" and the cluck means " Come here". Getting really aggressive with the clucks can change a hard heads mind.

Boy you guys sound just like me. My persistence is what pays off and to be persistent you have to love being out there watching the morning come in. I hunted 15 of the first
19 days in Ohio before killing my second bird. On that one I was waiting for him to establish himself on the ground and killed him at 35 yards without making a call. But lots of
mornings to get to that point. Good job all.

took brother in law out the ridge this mornin and he shot a double beard-9 and 5.may very well be the fat beard that's been giving me fits.if so,good for him.2 yrs ago he was on his death bed and never thought he'd hunt again.

Coalbank for turkey behavior demo at PTA D2 Expo.

Good read guys.

pcr2 That is a class act on your part to get someone in the woods that was /is having medical issues . My Pheasants Forever chapter has made donations to a local organization called Root For Boots .They help wounded veterans get access to tracked wheelchairs so they can continue to enjoy the outdoors . I am sure your brother in law got more than just a turkey that morning

Way to go PCR!

thanx guys,one time it is great to see a grown man cry.

I’m about to head out to see if I hear any thunder chickens in the woods around camp. I’m in camp for the last week of the season.

Yea I should already be out also . But the turkey are not going anywhere I did hear a shot about 30 minutes ago that was likely a turkey hunter.

Saturday was a good day. The temp. was cool. I went to a field before daylight and set up. After first light came I set there for a bit with the decoys out and gave a few clucks now and then, Nothing. I pulled up shop after seeing a hunter at the far end of the field. I went to check other spots and found one gobbling good. I set up on him at the top of the ridge, I just clucked to him and raked the leaves. He came in looking for me and I let him have it. I filled my second tag on him for the season at 0710.

Where to go Metalbender, congratulations.

I didn’t hear any gobbling this morning. I did have a hen talking to me and bumped another one about an hour later when I was moving to a different spot. I saw a herd of five deer and explored some areas I hadn’t been in for several years. All in all it was a pretty good morning. The quest for the elusive second bird continues.

I also heard a distant shot about 7 o’clock this morning West Side. Maybe somebody got lucky.